Maria Chizhevskaya spoke at a seminar organised by the Association of Japanologists on Japan’s Middle East policy

On 14 May, MGIMO hosted a seminar entitled ‘The New Middle East Crisis and Japan’, organised by the Association of Japanologists. During the seminar, speakers addressed a wide range of issues – Japan’s economic and political interests in the region, Japan’s stance on the crises surrounding Iran and the Gaza Strip, and the perception of Japanese policy in the countries of the region.

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Maria Chizhevskaya’s presentation focused on how Japan is shaping its policy regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has flared up with renewed intensity following Hamas’s attack on Israeli territory and the subsequent Israeli operation ‘Iron Swords’.

The presentation examined the key factors shaping Japan’s position: political dependence on the US, economic ties with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, the desire to strengthen Japan’s role in the UN, and the influence of anti-war sentiment within the country and anti-colonial discourse. According to the speaker, Tokyo is pursuing a strategy of manoeuvring and seeks to maintain a neutral stance: Japan condemns the attacks by Hamas and supports Israel’s right to self-defence, whilst emphasising the need to respect international humanitarian law, calling for a ceasefire, supporting a two-state solution, and providing extensive humanitarian aid to Palestine. According to the report’s findings, Japan has succeeded in establishing itself as an active player and donor in the region, but it does not hold a leading position in the peace process or in matters relating to the reconstruction of Gaza.